Since its launch in May 2021, the Haval Jolion has become the GWM group’s best-selling car in South Africa, contributing to about half of the Chinese importer’s volume and lifting GWM to one of the top 10 most popular brands.
It competes in the highly competitive B-SUV market, which has grown into the largest automotive segment, with about a quarter of all sales.
Two years on, the five-seater SUV arrives this week in a new generation called the Jolion Pro, while the original car continues as a more budget-focused two-model range renamed Jolion City and Jolion City Plus. The old Jolion is also available in a limited edition Luxury model of 120 units.
The cars share the same platform and engines, but the new Jolion Pro adopts a sportier design with more interior space, updated technology and a better warranty at seven years/200,000km versus the Jolion City’s five years/100,000km plan. A five-year/75,000km service plan is included in the price of all Jolion models.
The Jolion Pro is an eye-catcher with a stylish coupé-like roofline and prominent hexagonal grille with chrome-tipped vertical bars. The base model has 17-inch wheels while more expensive variants add 18-inch black wheels, black roof rails and a panoramic sunroof.
The Jolion Pro is wider and taller than the Jolion City with the length slightly shorter at 4,470mm on an unchanged 2,700mm wheelbase.
The five-model Jolion Pro range is front-wheel driven and offers 1.5l turbocharged petrol engines in three power outputs, starting with 105kW and 210Nm in the Premium, Super Luxury and Ultra Luxury models. The S Ultra Luxury ups the power and torque to 130kW and 270Nm while the range-topping HEV Ultra Luxury DHT has a petrol-electric powertrain with 140kW and 375Nm.
Petrol versions have a seven-speed double clutch transmission and the hybrid has a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) that seamlessly switches between petrol, hybrid and electric modes. It is able to drive on solely electric power during easy driving and claims a combined 5.1l/100km fuel consumption.
The hybrid was not available at the Jolion Pro’s launch drive in Johannesburg this week but I drove the 105kW and 130kW variants.
The 130kW model felt more eager, but the lesser-powered model had sufficient oomph and the typically lively throttle response of Chinese 1.5 turbo engines, especially in sports mode. Both variants accelerated briskly and took to the open road with gusto, with swift and smooth gearshifts. Interestingly, the more powerful version claims better fuel economy at 7.5l/100km compared with 8.1l for the 105kW model.
The Jolion Pro feels refined with muted engine and road noise, as we’ve come to expect from modern Chinese cars. It has a comfortable ride and feels solidly built, a far cry from the low-rent feel that once characterised vehicles from that country.
The cabin has a high-quality vibe with soft touch surfaces and neat finishes, and it's spacious for a B-segment SUV, with generous leg and head room.
As is the modern norm, most functions are bundled into a touchscreen infotainment system, but to reduce driving distraction there are quick access physical buttons for some of the air-conditioning controls. The steering wheel adjusts for height and reach, and the seats are comfortable.
As per the Chinese car trend, the Jolion Pro offers bountiful features at prices that undercut rivals from Volkswagen, Kia, Toyota and other legacy brands.
The entry-level Jolion Pro Premium has features such as an infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry with push button starting, reversing camera, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, cruise control, stability control, ABS brakes and front and side airbags.
The Jolion Pro Super Luxury model adds side curtain airbags, automatic LED headlamps, automatic wipers, power-adjustable front seats, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. The seats are upholstered in leatherette instead of the baseline model’s cloth.
The range-topping Jolion Pro Ultra Luxury comes with additional features including wireless phone charging, automatic parking, a 360º panoramic view camera system, a head-up display, cabin ambient lighting, heated front seats and a ventilated driver’s seat.
All models have driver assist features such as lane keep assist, while Luxury variants gain intelligent cruise assist, traffic jam assistance, road sign recognition, blind spot detection and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
Some driver-assist features can become overbearing but can be disabled, with the Jolion Pro storing favoured settings so the driver doesn’t have to reset them every time the car is started.
PRICES
HAVAL Jolion 1.5T City — R345,950
HAVAL Jolion 1.5T City Plus 7DCT — R370,950
HAVAL Jolion Luxury 7DCT (Limited Edition) — R420,950
HAVAL Jolion Pro 1.5T Premium 7DCT — R391,150
HAVAL Jolion Pro 1.5T Super Luxury 7DCT — R425,950
HAVAL Jolion Pro 1.5T Ultra Luxury 7DCT — R462,950
HAVAL Jolion Pro 1.5T S Ultra Luxury 7DCT — R495,950
HAVAL Jolion Pro 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury DHT — R516,950
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